The bill amends various sections of the Nebraska Revised Statutes concerning the Grain Dealer Act and the Grain Warehouse Act, introducing significant changes to licensing and fee structures. A new tiered fee system for grain dealer licenses will replace the existing flat annual fee of $100, with a maximum fee of $1,500 set to take effect on July 1, 2027. Additionally, grain dealers will be required to file a security amount determined by the commission, ranging from $35,000 to $1 million, to safeguard producers against claims from sales. The bill also establishes the Grain Dealer and Grain Warehouse Cash Fund to support the administration of these acts, ensuring that revenue from license fees does not exceed 25% of the commission's operational costs.

Moreover, the bill repeals section 75-905, which previously outlined specific security requirements for grain dealers, and updates the licensing process for warehouses, particularly those under the federal United States Warehouse Act, which will no longer be charged an annual state license fee. It mandates that these licensees notify the commission of their licensing status and prohibits the use of unapproved air probes for grain sampling. All fees collected under the Grain Warehouse Act will now be directed to the newly established cash fund rather than the General Fund, reflecting a comprehensive overhaul of the regulatory framework governing grain dealers and warehouses in Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 75-905, 75-903, 75-904
Final Reading: 75-905, 75-902, 75-903, 75-904, 88-527, 88-529, 88-548, 88-551